Gandhis granted bail in National Herald case

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi were granted bail in National Herald case today here in a Delhi court.

The bail was granted on a personal bond of 50000 each. Sonia's bail was taken by AK Antony and Rahul's bail was taken by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Next date of hearing is set on 20th February. Subramaniam Swamy's request of putting conditions like keeping the passports was rejected.

Swamy said that in the end Gandhis had to take the bail and their bravado went missing. Kapil Sibbal said that bail was granted without any condition.

Previously a Delhi court on 8 December had asked Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, vice President Rahul Gandhi and others to appear on December 19 in connection with a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in the National Herald newspaper case.

Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen also granted them exemption from personal appearance on Tuesday.

Speaking on the issue, Rahul Gandhi said, "I absolutely see a political vendetta. This is the way Central govt functions. I am going to keep asking exactly the questions that I have been asking. I am going to put pressure on the govt and I am going to continue to do my job."

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the plea of the Gandhis to quash the summons issued to them by a trial court on Swamy's complaint regarding the acquisition of National Herald and asked them to appear before a trial court on Tuesday.

Justice Sunil Gaur dismissed their pleas which mean they will have to appear before the trial court in the case.

Apart from the Gandhis, the court also dismissed the pleas of Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, family friend Suman Dubey and party leader Oscar Fernandes who had moved the high court for quashing of summons to them by a trial court.

On June 26, the trial court issued summons to the Congress leaders on Swamy's complaint about "cheating" in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young India Ltd (YIL) – "a firm in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each owns a 38 percent stake".

Earlier in March, this year, Congress president Sonia Gandhi told the Delhi High Court that there was no "illegality" in the acquisition of AJL by YIL as per the Companies Act.